The OC Marathon 5/1/11

Please join us and thousands as we check out the OC Marathon! Don't miss the Beach Cities Challenge! -- Run three consecutive races (Surf City Marathon, OC Marathon and Long Beach International City Bank Marathon) and receive a cool medal and other opportunities to be announced soon.

This 2011 Full Marathon Course starts on Newport Center Drive loop in front of our Official Start Line Hotel, the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa just south of Santa Barbara Drive and travels through the beautiful coastal communities of Newport Beach, Costa Mesa and Santa Ana. The start time for the Full Marathon is 6:00 a.m.

The first mile of the Marathon course includes a breathtaking panorama of the Pacific Ocean before winding through the seaside village of Corona del Mar including the spectacular Ocean Blvd. with cliff side views of Big Corona del Mar State Beach. It traverses down Bayside Drive, past the Newport Harbor Yacht Clubs and homes and boats of Newport Harbor. Exceptional views await runners at the bluffs overlooking the Upper Newport Bay Estuary Reserve as are the supportive cheers of neighborhood residents. Marathoners continue into the heart of Orange County, Costa Mesa, passing by the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, South Coast Plaza, traveling into Santa Ana and onto the Santa Ana River Trail by Moon Park and exiting at Fairview Park on the home stretch towards the OC Fair & Event Center.

The Full Marathon course is net downhill in elevation from start to finish. The first 6.5 miles will be extremely fast with only minor inclines. Mile 6.5 to 7.0 is the only significant hill on the course taking the runners from 15 feet to 75 feet. The course is flat through mile 10.5 and easy rolling hills to 11.5. There is another 45' incline at mile 14.5 over the 405 overpass and a 40' incline slightly over 1/4 of a mile in length at mile 23 after leaving Fairview Park. These are all relatively small hills.

Start Lines: When available, all 2011 Start Line maps, parking lots and other details can be found on ourParking/Directions Page.

Finish Line: When available, all 2011 Finsh Line maps, parking lots and other details can be found on our Parking/Directions Page.

The Full Marathon will Finish at the OC Fair and Event Center. After crossing the Finish Line, participants will enter the secure runners' area and receive their medal. As finishers continue through the secure area they will come to the Post Food & Fluid (PF&F) area. New for 2011: A dedicated Marathon Participant PF&F will be available to ensure all the great replenishment is available for all our Marathon participants. Once runners exit this area, they will not be allowed to return.

The on course time limit is 7 hours for the Full Marathon. Please note that the course will have a rolling re-opening that will be strictly enforced by the Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Santa Ana and Irvine Police Departments. Roads must reopen based on a 16 minute per mile pace. Any participants arriving at an intersection after the 16 minute pace may be required to use the pedestrian pathways and observe all pedestrian laws. After reopening, course markings, police services, portable restrooms, water stations may be removed from the course.

There is no specific Family Reunion Area, however, there will the OC Marathon Finish Festival with entertainment, food and drink in the Main Festival Fields west of Buildings 10 and 12. We recommended that participants discuss a reunion plan with family and friends prior to the race. A detailed Finish Line Map will be posted here when available to scout possible meeting locations.

Additional viewing areas for spectators will be posted here when available.